The NHL did itself no favors tonight in the eyes of the media, first delaying the announcement of the schedule until after 11pm Eastern, and then making some questionable scheduling choices that have many scratching their heads.

One of the biggest questions was around the start of the Rangers-Capitals series, scheduled to start Thursday, a four day break from the end of the season, and five days since the Rangers would have played the New Jersey Devils in their season finale.

The delayed start might actually prove to be a blessing though, with Brian Boyle, Marc Staal, Derek Dorsett and Ryane Clowe all on the sidelines with injuries.  The late start does mean that if the series goes to seven games, the two teams will face 3 games in 4 nights, before likely backing into a quick start to the second round.

Full schedule:

• Game 1: WAS – Thursday May 2nd – 7:30pm (NBCSN)
• Game 2: WAS – Saturday May 4th – 12:30pm (NBC)
• Game 3: NYR – Monday May 6th – 7:30 p.m. (NBCSN)
• Game 4: NYR – Wednesday May 8th – 7:30 pm (NBCSN)
• Game 5: WAS – Friday May 10th – 7:30 pm
• Game 6: NYR – Sunday May 12th – TBD
• Game 7: WAS – Monday May 13th – TBD